We Know Why You Didn't Get Promoted...

Little things you'd never think of actually make a huge difference when your boss is deciding who in your office deserves a job upgrade or fatter paycheck. Skip these screw-ups if you're ready to move up the ladder.

With the economy doing about as well as Heidi Montag's attempt at a comeback (Famous Food, anyone?), everyone is working harder than ever to try to impress the boss. And that makes the competition fierce when the opportunity to be promoted actually crops up. "Employers have their pick of workers right now," says career expert Alexandra Levit, author of Blind Spots: The Top 10 Business Myths You Can't Afford to Believe on Your New Path to Success. "So any minor quirk or habit you have that your boss feels doesn't match up with the image your company wants to project can be used to keep you from advancing."

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Okay, you already know how important it is to get to work on time, get your stuff in when it's due, and dress for the job you want. But these surprising factors, discovered during a CareerBuilder.com survey of nearly 3,000 hiring managers, are equally important deal­ breakers. Take a pass on 'em if you want to get ahead.

You Flaunt Your Tat

Some offices are totally cool with ink. Others…not so much. "A tattoo can send the message that you're immature or impulsive, even if you're the most reliable person on staff," says Levit. Lame, we know, but there is some reasoning behind it. Getting promoted usually means you'll have more interactions with clients, and some of them might not be down with your body art.

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If your boss has already seen your tat, don't freak. Just start hiding it when you interact with customers or attend staff meetings to send the message that you're aware it could be distracting, and you're such an amazing professional that you've got it covered—literally.

You Have Coffee Breath

If you're anything like us, that morning cup of Joe is non-negotiable. But guzzling Starbucks the morning after you nibbled on garlic-y apps at happy hour can translate to some seriously rank fumes coming from your kisser. Nobody wants to be exposed to that, and, if it happens often enough, it could lead your boss to think you wouldn't interact well with clients, says career counselor Martin Yate, author of Knock 'Em Dead: Secrets and Strategies for Success in an Uncertain World.

So make it a habit to pop a mint after you drink a coffee or soda (its high sugar content can cause bad breath) and munch on another after you eat lunch right before a meeting. Your sweet breath will blow your coworkers away…for the right reasons.

You Don't Wear SPF—Ever

You already know from reading Cosmo that tanning kills your skin. But, get this: It can also be bad for your career. Consistently sporting orange or too-tanned skin that obviously isn't your natural shade signals to your boss that you're self-absorbed and frivolous, says career consultant Marc Dorio, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Career Advancement. Basically, a lot of bosses think that if you're working so hard to maintain a year-round deep tan, you're probably not working as hard as you could at your actual job.

Love the outdoors? Slather on at least SPF 15 before heading outside and reapply every two hours so you won't end up looking like the office version of Snooki.

You Need a Mani

We're not saying you need to hit the nail salon every two weeks, but you don't want to sport tips that are ragged. Here's why: Messy, torn cuticles signal to the people around you that you bite your nails (even if you don't)—a bad habit exacerbated by stress, anxiety, and boredom. "It can make your boss think that you're a nervous wreck and might not be able to handle the extra responsibility that comes with a promotion," says Dorio. Yeah, it sucks that in the real world, appearances mean a lot. Keep a nail file at your desk so you can run to the bathroom to do a touch-up if your digits are looking less than awesome, and apply a subtle polish or clear coat the night before a big meeting.